What are World Cup's red card suspension rules?

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ByJonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist
  • Published

Players receiving a red card in the 2026 World Cup will receive a one-match suspension.

This applies to both straight red cards and red cards that are the result of the same player being cautioned twice.

Fifa does hold the right to impose "further sanctions" if it deems it necessary.

During the opening game of the tournament, three red cards were shown.

It means that South Africa's Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane will miss their side's match against the Czech Republic, while Mexico defender Cesar Montes will miss their meeting with South Korea.

Players can also receive suspensions for an accumulation across multiple matches.

Should players received two bookings, they will be handed a one-match suspension.

However, yellow cards are wiped following the conclusion of the group stage. They are wiped again following the conclusion of the quarter-finals.

Figure caption,

THREE red cards in the first game, what does this mean for the players?

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Players who will miss next World Cup match because of red card

Cesar Montes is shown a red cardImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Mexico's Cesar Montes was given a late red card in his side's win over South Africa on Thursday

  • Yaya Sithole (South Africa)

  • Themba Zwane (South Africa)

  • Cesar Montes (Mexico)

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